Apparatus for cleaning applicators



1965 P. J. FULLER 3,200,428

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING APPLICATORS Filed Nov. 26, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVENTOR. 4 Fe Jim/er BY Jill F.

ATTORNEY Aug. 17, 1965 P. J. FULLER 3,200,428

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING APPLIGATORS Filed Nov. 26, 1963 2 Sheets-$heet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Parr J/ZM/er QWk M ATTORNEY United States Patent azssazs APhARATUS FOR CLEANING APPLICATORS Perry .l. Fuller, E. Chicago St., Sturgis, Mich. Filed Nov. 26, W63, Scr. No. 326,094

9 Claims. (Cl. -21) This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning cylindrical type of .applicators such, for example, as are used in applying paint, varnish, wax or related items.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an apparatus for cleaning applicators of the rotary type which is easily manipulated and is highly efiicient.

Second, to provide a cleaning apparatus for cylindrical rotary type applicators which does not pull out the filaments, nap or pile of the applicator but is effective in removing paint, varnish, wax or other material with which the applicator has been used.

Third, to provide an apparatus for these uses which leaves the filaments, nap or pile in position for drying and .in effective reuse position.

Fourth, to provide an applicator having these advantages which is adapted for use in cleaning applicators of the rotary type of substantially varying diameters and lengths.

()bjects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims. A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus em bodying my invention mounted upon a support which is partially broken away.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1, the support being partially broken away.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section on a line corresponding to line 33 of FIG. 1, the discharge spout of the receptacle being partially broken away.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the body portion or member of the embodiment of my invention illustrated.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view mainly in section on a line corresponding to line 66 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 77 of FIG. 2.

In the accompanying drawing the numeral 1 represents a table or support on which the embodiment of my invention illustrated is mounted. The receptacle 2 is secured to the body member by means of the clamps 3 which engage the rim 4 at the bottom of the receptacle. The receptacle is provided with a discharge spout 5 provided with a valve 6. The body member designated generally by the numeral 7 is adapted to be mounted on the top of the receptacle 2 and is provided with downwardly projecting receptacle engaging flange-like portions 8 and 9 provided with clamping screws 10.

The body member has, in the embodiment illustrated, an integral downwardly opening gear chamber 11 which is of rectangular cross section and the combined bearing supporting plate and chamber closure 12 is detachably secured to the inwardly projecting corner members 13 having bores in their inner ends adapted to receive attaching screws 14, two of which are illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 4.

These members 13 are spaced from the inner ends of the side walls of this body member chamber as is illustrated in FIG. 4 so that the member .12 is laterally supported by the side walls of the body member housing 11 and the side walls coact with the screws 14 in preventing lateral movement of this hearing and supporting member 12 which is subjected to considerable stress in use.

The driving shaft 16 is provided with a handle '17 projecting upwardly from the body member. The top wall of the body member is provided with a bearing 18 while the body member 12; is provided with a bearing 19 for this driving shaft, the shaft being provided with a thrust collar 20 rotatably mounted on the upper end of the bearing 18.

The driving shaft 16 has a driving gear 21 disposed within the housing and secured to the shaft by means of the screw 22. The driven shaft 23 is provided with a bearing 24 in the top wall of the housing and with the bearing 25 in the bearing supporting member 12. The driven shaft 23 has a gear 26 fixedly secured thereto by the set screw 27, this gear also serving as a supporting bearing for the shaft rotatably mounted or engaged with the bearing support member 12.

The driven shaft 23 has a threaded portion 28 projecting below the bearing 25 with which the cylindrical comb support member 29 is supportedly engaged. The cylindrical comb support member has threads extending from the lower end with which the tubular member 30 has threaded engagement.

The comb body member 31 is telescopingly and supportedly engaged with the support member 29 and is provided with closely spaced radially projecting wire teeth 32 desirably of fine tempered wire or like material. The details of the connecting of these teeth to the sleeve are not illustrated but they are retainingly secured thereto and this tubular unit is fittingly supported throughout by the body member 31.

This entire comb unit has threaded engagement with the support so that it can be removed for the purpose of cleaning, should it be allowed to become clogged, or for the purpose of renewal should that be required.

As stated, this constitutes a unit which is adapted to be mounted upon a receptacle such as the receptacle 2 and the rim engaging members are made in proper dimensions to supportedly engage the receptacle upon which the unit is designed to be mounted.

In the accompanying drawing I illustrate an applicator of the cylindrical rotary type 34 rotatably mounted on a spindle 35 having a laterally projecting arm 36 at one end thereof and provided with a handle portion 37 which is shown partially broken away in FIG. 2.

The arm-like portion 33 of the body member has a stop member 38 provided with a slotted base portion 39 adapted to receive the upwardly projecting Stud 40 provided with a wing nut 41. This stop member engages the arm of the applicator as is illustrated in FIG. 2 and serves to limit the swing of the applicator toward the comb member, thus preventing injury to the applicator.

It will be understood that with the applicator in cleaning position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is postioned so that it is rotated by the teeth of the comb member so that cleaning of its entire peripheral portion results.

It should be understood that in practice the receptacle is filled with some suitable cleaning solution that would be suitable for the type of material the applicator was used for applying.

With this arrangement of parts, the gearing is completely housed so that the user is protected as well as the gear being protected, that is the user may grasp the body member at any position without likelihood of injury.

As stated, the comb member is supportedly sleeved upon the comb support member and may be renewed as occasion requires but it is adapted for use for a long period unless paint is allowed to dry in the teeth and should that happen it can be readily cleaned by proper cleaning solution in the receptacle.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for cleaning applicators of the type in which an applicator is rotatably mounted on a spindle having an arm disposed to project radially relative to the applicator comprising, a body member adapted to be supportedly mounted on a receptacle and having receptacle engaging clamps, said body member having a downwardly opening gear chamber therein, a bearing support member disposed within and constituting a closure for said chamber and detachably secured to said body member, a driving shaft provided with a handle at its outer end, said body member and said bearing support member being provided with aligned bearings for said driving shaft, the driving shaft having a thrust bearing thereon supportedly engaged with said bearing on said body member, a driving gear on said driving shaft disposed within said gear chamber, a

driven shaft disposed in laterally spaced relation to said driving shaft, said body member and bearing support member having vertically aligned bearings for said driven shaft, a gear mounted on said driven shaft to coact with said driving gear and rotatably supported on the inner side of said bearing support member, an externally threaded comb support member mounted on said driven shaft below said bearing support member, an elongated tubular comb body member having threaded engagement with and depending from said comb support member, a tubular comb body member supportedly sleeved upon said support member and having closely spaced, radially projecting teeth, said body member having an upwardly projecting holder adapted to supportingly receive the spindle arm of an applicator disposed in coacting relation to said comb, and a stop member adjustably mounted on said body member in coacting relation to said spindle arm holder member.

2. An apparatus for cleaning applicators of the type in which an applicator is rotatably mounted on a spindle having an arm disposed to project radially relative to the applicator comprising, a body member adapted to be supportedly mounted on a receptacle and having receptacle engaging clamps, said body member having a downwardly opening gear chamber therein, a bearing support member it disposed within and constituting a closure for said chamber and detachably secured to said body member, a driving shaft provided with a handle at its outer end, said body member and said bearing support member being provided with aligned bearings for said driving shaft, the driving shaft having a thrust bearing thereon supportedly engaged with said bearing on said body member, a driving gear on said driving shaft disposed within said gear chamber, a driven shaft disposed in laterally spaced rela tion to said driving shaft, said body member and bearing support member having vertically aligned bearings for said driven shaft, a gear mounted on said driven shaft to coact with said driving gear and rotatably supported on the inner side of said bearing support member, an externally threaded comb support member mounted on said driven shaft below said bearing support member, an elongated tubular comb body member having threaded engagement with and depending from said comb support member, and a tubular comb body member supportedly sleeved upon said support member and having closely spaced, radially projecting wire teeth, said body member having an upwardly projecting holder adapted to supportingly receive the spindle arm of an applicator disposed in coacting relation to said comb.

3. An apparatus for cleaning applicators of the type in which an applicator is rotatably mounted on a spindle having an arm disposed to project radially relative to the applicator comprising, a body member adapted to be supportedly mounted on a receptacle and having receptacle engaging clamps, said body member having a downwardly opening gear chamber therein, a bearing support member isposcd within and constituting a closure for said chamber and detachably secured to said body member, a driving shaft provided with a handle at its outer end, said body member and said "bearing support member being provided with aligned bearings for said driving shaft, a driving gear on said driving shaft disposed within said gear chamber, a driven shaft disposed in laterally spaced relation to said driving shaft, said body member and bearing support member having vertically aligned bearings for said driven shaft, a gear mounted on said driven shaft to coact with said driving gear, an externally threaded comb support member mounted on said driven shaft below said bearing support member, an elongated tubular comb body member depending from said comb support member, a tubular comb body member supportedly sleeved upon said support member and having closely spaced, radially projecting teeth, said body member having an upwardly projecting holder adapted to supportingly receive the spindle arm of an applicator disposed in coacting relation to said comb, and a stop member adjustably mounted on said body member in coacting relation to said spindle arm holder member.

4. An apparatus for cleaning applicators of the type in which an applicator is rotatably mounted on a spindle having an arm disposed to project radially relative to the applicator comprising, a body member adapted to be supportedly mounted on a receptacle and having receptacle engaging clamps, said body member having a downwardly opening gear chamber therein, a bearing support member disposed within, and constituting a closure for said chamber and detachably secured to said body member, a driving shaft provided with a handle at its outer end, said body member and said bearing support member being provided with aligned bearings for said driving shaft disposed within said gear chamber, a driven shaft disposed in laterally spaced relation to said driving shaft, said body member and bearing support member having vertically aligned bearings for said driven shaft, a gear mounted on said driven shaft to coact with said driving gear, an externally threaded comb support member mounted on said driven shaft below said bearing support member, an elongated tubular comb body member supportedly engaged with and depending from said comb support member, and a tubular comb body member supportedly sleeved upon said support member and having closely spaced, radially projecting teeth, said body member having an upwardly projecting holder adapted to supportingly receive the spindle arm of an applicator disposed in coacting relation to said comb.

5. An apparatus for cleaning applicators of the type in which an applicator is rotatably mounted on a spindle having an arm disposed to project radially relative to the applicator comprising, a body member adapted to be supportedly mounted on a receptacle and having a gear chamber therein, a bearing support member detachably secured to said body member, a driving shaft rotatably mounted on said body and bearing support member and provided with a handle at its outer end, a driving gear on said driving shaft disposed within said gear chamber, a driven shaft dispose-d in laterally spaced relation to said driving shaft and supportedly mounted on said body and bearing support members, a gear on said driven shaft disposed within said housing to coact with said driving gear, a comb support member mounted on said driven shaft below said bearing support member, an elongated cylindrical comb body member having supported engagement with and depending from said comb support member, a tubular comb member supportedly sleeved upon said support member and having closely spaced, radially projecting teeth, said body member having a support for the spindle arm of an applicator disposed in coacting relation to said comb, and a stop member adjustably mounted on said body member in coacting relation to said spindle arm support.

6. An apparatus for cleaning applicators of the type in which an applicator is rotatably mounted on a spindle having an arm disposed to project radially relative to the applicator comprising, a body member adapted to be supportedly mounted on a receptacle and having a gear chamber therein, a bearing support member, a driving shaft rotatably mounted on said body and bearing support members and provided With a handle at its outer end, a driving gear on said driving shaft disposed Within said gear chamber, a driven shaft disposed in laterally spaced relation to said driving shaft and supportedly mounted on said body and bearing support members, a gear on said driven shaft disposed Within said housing to coact with said driving gear, a comb support member mounted on said driven shaft below said bearing support member, an elongated cylindrical comb body member having supported engagement with and depending from said comb support member, and a tubular comb member supportedly sleeved upon said support member and having closely spaced, radially projecting teeth, said body member having a support for the spindle arm of an applicator disposed in coacting relation to said comb.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body member adapted to be supportedly mounted on a receptacle and having a gear chamber therein, a bearing support member supportedly disposed Within said chamber and constituting a closure therefor, a driving shaft rotatably mounted on said body member and provided with a handle on the outer side of said body member, a driven shaft supportedly mounted on said body member and said bearing support member, driving connections for said driving shaft to said driven shaft disposed Within said chamber, a comb support member mounted on said driven shaft on the outer side of said bearing support member, a comb body member supportedly engaged with and depending from said comb support member, and a comb unit provided with a plurality of closely spaced, radially projecting teeth supportedly mounted on said comb body member.

8. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body member adapted to be supportedly mounted on a receptacle and having a gear chamber therein, a bearing support member detachably mounted on said body member, a driving shaft rotatably mounted on said body member and provided with a handle on the outer side of said body member, a driven shaft supportedly mounted on said body member and said bearing support member, driving connections for said driving shaft to said driven shaft disposed within said gear chamber, a comb support member mounted on said driven shaft on the outer side of said bearing support member, a comb body member supportedly engaged with and depending from said comb support member, and a comb unit provided with a plurality of closely spaced, radially projecting teeth supportedly mounted on said comb body member.

9. An apparatus of the class described comprising a support unit adapted to be supportedly mounted on a receptacle and having a gear chamber therein, a driving shaft rotatably mounted on said support unit and provided with a handle, a driven shaft supportedly mounted on said support unit, driving connections for said driving and driven shafts disposed Within said gear chamber, an elongated comb body member supportedly mounted on said driven shaft in depending relation to said body member, and a cylindrical comb unit supportedly mounted on said comb body member and having closely spaced, radially projecting teeth of uniform length.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,410,199 3/22 Low 2S9122 2,739,326 3/56 Martin 15-21 2,773,274 12/56 Beech 15-3 2,968,824 1/61 Beech 15-4 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. 

9. AN APPARATUS OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISING A SUPPORT UNIT ADAPTED TO BE SUPPORTEDLY MOUNTED ON A RECEPTACLE AND HAVING A GEAR CHAMBER THEREIN, A DRIVING SHAFT ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT UNIT AND PROVIDED WITH A HANDLE, A DRIVEN SHAFT SUPPORTEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT UNIT, DRIVIN CONNECTIONS FOR SAID DRIVING AND DRIVEN SHAFTS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID GEAR CHAMBER, AN ELONGATED COMB BODY MEMBER SUPPORTEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID DRIVEN SHAFT IN DEPENDING RELATION TO SAID BODY MEMBER, AND A CYLINDRICAL COMB UNIT SUPPORTEDLY MOUNT- 